Tires are an important safety feature on any vehicle. Without them, no vehicle would go anywhere ever! They’re highly important all the way around. Even cars with the biggest engines and strongest brakes are at the mercy of the tire gripping the road. Every move you make behind the wheel affects the tires. When your tires are worn out, it’s time to make a purchase. But you don’t want to slap just any old tires on your vehicle. You want tires that work well on your car and are within a fair price range. Here are some tips to help you get what you need.
Tip 1: Get the Right Size
Not everyone knows much about tire size. It’s not like going to a store and trying on the right size pants. However, tires are marked on their sidewalls so you know what size you have. The code will tell you their size and what they are capable of. When you first look at the code, it may seem like gibberish. It will look something like this: P195/60R16 63H M+S. But each of those letters and numbers mean something. Let’s break it down so you understand better.
P-tire type
195-tire width across the tread
60-ratio of sidewall compared to the width
R-construction of the radial
16-rim’s diameter
63-loading rate of the tire
H-speed rating on the tire
M+S-this tire is suitable for driving in all seasons.
While you may not know what all of the letters and numbers mean and you may not even care, you need to get something that will fit your Philadelphia state inspection. Knowing what you have now can help you find something comparable.
Tip 2: Know Where to Get Tires
There are plenty of options when it comes to buying new tires. The most expensive option is usually going to the dealership where you got the vehicle. They will give you original equipment tires, which cost quite a bit more. Local shops, like SAR, are the best places for getting good tires at a good deal. You get reasonable prices and you can get help selecting the right type of tire for your vehicle.
Tip 3: Consider Driving Habits
It is a good idea to determine what you need based on the type of driving you do. If you never drive in Philadelphia’s winter weather, then you don’t need tires that do well in the snow. If you have a job that forces you to get out and about in all weather elements, you need something reliable that will get you where you need to go. Think through the driving habits you will have on the tires before you buy more than you need.
When you are ready to find the best tires for your particular vehicle (and your needs!) contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270. We’re here to help you every step of the way. We understand that you don’t buy new tires every day, but we work with them all the time! We’ll guide you in the right direction to make sure your car drives like a dream. Visit SAR at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.
